Biologic therapies in the treatment of sarcoidosis. (2nd August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saketkoo, Lesley Ann; Baughman, Robert P.
• Is Part Of: Expert review of clinical immunology. Volume 12:Number 8(2016)
• Page Start: 817
• Page End: 825
• Publication Date: 2016-08-02
• Subjects: Infliximab -- adalimumab. etanercept -- methotrexate -- tumor necrosis factor -- sarcoidosis; Clinical immunology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1080/1744666X.2016.1175301
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-666X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Sarcoidosis is a disease of remarkable heterogeneity in organ manifestation, severity and natural history, characterized by the presence of non-caseating granulomas. The majority of cases are acute and self-limited or remit with short courses of glucocorticoids; however, a proportion progress to a life-threatening obliterative fibrotic type associated with significant disability related to pulmonary, cardiac, ocular or central nervous system involvement. Biologic agents have been demonstrated in the successful treatment of refractory organ-threatening sarcoidosis; and though sarcoidosis remains elusive in predictability of progression, strong evidence suggests an indisputably efficacious role for these agents in efforts to stave morbidity and mortality related to sarcoidosis. This paper provides a review of sarcoidosis mechanistic etiopathogenesis to highlight the hypothetical underpinnings of the utility and concerns of current biologic treatments in current use and the potential future applications of newer agents and those under development.